Latest California Healthline Stories
Assembly Bill Would Block ACA Tobacco Surcharge
Last week, Assembly member Richard Pan introduced a bill that would block an Affordable Care Act provision that allows insurers to charge smokers with an individual policy up to 50% more in premiums from being implemented in California. Last year, Gov. Brown vetoed a similar bill, but observers say the governor’s move was in response to concerns about it being too early to set rules for the state’s insurance marketplace. Ventura County Star.
Medical Students To Rally for Single-Payer System in Calif.
On Feb. 11, hundreds of medical students are expected to participate in a rally at the State Capitol in support of a single-payer, universal health care system in California. The rally is sponsored by the California Health Professional Student Alliance and the Campaign for a Healthy California. Sacramento Business Journal.
Doctors Worry About Industry Gift Disclosures, Survey Finds
About 63% of surveyed doctors are concerned about having gifts that they receive from health care industry groups disclosed on a public database, according to a survey by the technology firm MMIS. The survey was released soon after CMS presented a long-awaited final rule on the Physician Payment Sunshine Act, which requires medical industry companies to disclose consulting fees, research grants and other gifts that they give to physicians and teaching hospitals. According to the survey, more than 50% of respondents said they were unaware of the Sunshine Act. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” MMIS release.
Public Health Department Fines Seven Hospitals a Total of $775K
The California Department of Public Health issued 10 fines totaling $775,000 to seven state hospitals. The fines — which range from $50,000 to $100,000 — were levied for errors that endangered patients or led to their deaths. Payers & Providers et al.
S.J. Valley Counties Limit TB Drug Amid National Shortage
Health departments in Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties are limiting access to a common anti-tuberculosis drug to residents with active TB amid a nationwide shortage of the drug. Area health officials said isoniazid supplies may not return to normal levels until April. Meanwhile, FDA officials this week said they are working to resolve the shortage. Ventura County Star.
Lawmakers Propose Bill To Permanently Repeal Medicare SGR Formula
A House bill introduced yesterday would permanently repeal the sustainable growth rate formula, which sets Medicare physician reimbursement rates. The bill aims to replace the SGR with a system that rewards Medicare physicians for quality care. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
KFF: Federal Subsidies To Help Offset Premium Hikes Caused by ACA
A Kaiser Family Foundation report predicts that the Affordable Care Act will lead to higher premiums for people who purchase coverage in the individual market. However, the report notes that the ACA’s federal subsidies likely will offset the extra costs. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”
Tools Use Location Data To Discern Health Risks
New health care tools are using geographic information system technology to gather data on how environmental factors could affect patients’ health, which physicians and researchers hope will allow for more tailored diagnoses and treatment regimens. Despite the potential benefits such tools, some experts have expressed concern that the devices could pose significant patient privacy risks. Washington Post.
New Plan Would Return Calif. Inmates to State Prisons by June 2016
A new plan would return inmates housed in other states to California prisons in phases through June 30, 2016. However, the plan says that ending contracts with out-of-state prisons will have no effect on the delivery of inmates’ mental health care services. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Obama Wants To Avert Cuts to Medicare, Other Programs in Sequester
President Obama is urging Congress to move quickly to avert a 2% reduction to Medicare reimbursements and other cuts under the sequester. Observers say that Obama could offer strategies for avoiding the cuts during his State of the Union address. The Hill‘s “On The Money” et al.